President Muhammadu Buhari says he will exit the scene as Nigeria’s leader after the 2023 general election.
A statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, quoted Buhari as saying this during a courtesy visit to the Emir of Lafia, retired Justice Sidi Bage Muhammad on Thursday.
President Buhari had earlier dismissed insinuations that he has been nursing a third term.
The statement reaffirmed that the president has no intention of staying beyond the constitutionally recognised two terms of office.
He said, ”The traditional ruler is on a terminal appointment. Constitutionally, we (elected public office holders) are not. I cannot go beyond two terms and I have sworn by the Holy Quran that I will uphold the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“Politics apart, whenever we are made to swear by the Holy Quran, we have to be very careful. We must make sure that we do not abuse the trust God has given us as leaders.
”I have seen former governors here and I am looking forward to also becoming a former President.”
